Title: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 22nd January 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1985
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘On my next visit to The Grubber, I was standing across the road gazing at the wonderful old building when suddenly an enormous bathtub came sailing out through one of the second-floor windows and crashed right on to the middle of the road!

‘My jewels! Somebody’s stolen my jewels!’

What a fun, light and easy children’s book to sink your teeth into. I may not have really enjoyed it as an adult, but I can imagine that as a child, I would have absolutely adored it.

This is the kind of nonsensical story that I enjoy sinking my teeth into, and just generally having a good giggle at. Even if it wasn’t quite as fun as some of the other Roald Dahl stories I’ve been reading lately.

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is a fun little children’s book that is accompanied by some wonderful illustrations. All light, happy and enjoyable.

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Title: George’s Marvelous Medicine
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 22nd January 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1981
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Why won’t they?’ asked George.

‘The rule would be this: whatever he saw, if it was runny or powdery or gooey, it went in.

I understand more than most how miserable it can be to have a grumpy, nasty grandmother. I’m just lucky that my parents never invited them to live with us. So it was kind of funny to read this story in which George gets his comeuppance against his nagging, irritating grandmother. And in the finest, most enjoyable fashion possible.

George is a great lead for all the boys and girls out there. He is funny and quirky. And, although he ultimately doesn’t make the best decisions… he does so with a bit of hope and positivity in his decision making. Plus, who hasn’t wanted to make a “medicine” that removes the crankiness from a relative?

I remember reading George’s Marvellous Medicine as a kid and wanting to go and make my own “medicine”. It worked out pretty much exactly as you would predict. But it’s a nice memory, one that kept flicking back in my memory as I reread this great, childhood classic.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Fantastic Mr Fox
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 22nd January 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1970
5th sentence, 74th page: The feast was just beginning.

‘Did you hear that, Mr Fox! It’s not over yet! We’re not going home till we’ve strung you up dead as a dingbat!’

I completely forgot that this story existed. Which is actually kind of sad, it’s a brilliant, funny and cute story. I absolutely adored this and was giggling throughout.

Fantastic Mr Fox is a funny little story that reminds us that being good and clever sometimes gets us what we want. It also kind of encourages us to steal… but I’m not going to look too closely at that rationale.

This is a light, quick and funny read. You know that a children’s book is good when you can still enjoy it and laugh over it as an adult. And that’s certainly what happens here…

Image source: Amazon

Title: Esio Trot
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 21st January 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Mrs Silver caught the paper and held it up in front of her.

‘I do actually happen to know how to make tortoises grow faster, it that’s really what you want.’

This was funny, quirky and seriously quick to read. It doesn’t even really count as a novel, since it’s only 50 pages. And most of those are covered in pictures…

I must say, I really don’t condone the way that Mr. Hopper gets his way in this story. After all, he is literally stealing a pet to con the woman he loves. But, it is quite funny. And clever. And just all round ingenious. Pus, there is a happy ending for the tortoise that started the whole damn story anyway. So all is not lost…

I laughed out loud throughout this very short read. And, if anyone has a copy of this lying around… I most definitely suggest reading it. After all, there is nothing better than having a short read and laugh when life is getting a little too serious. No matter how old you are.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Danny the Champion of the World
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 21st January 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 1975
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Yes,’ he said.

‘A stodgy parent is no fun at all. What a child wants and deserves is a parent who is sparky.

I love that this is a book, that, ultimately is all about poaching. Yet, it seems to be a positive. Mostly, when I read poaching stories, the poacher is the evil character. Instead, in this story, the poachers are the good guys. And poaching… is… well, fun. It certainly turned a lot of my thoughts on their head.

I read this novel since I needed a refresh of what it was about. I’m writing a little note for my friends’ child-to-be in the front of this. And the part that seriously struck me… I could totally see the father-to-be doing exactly this. Being that fun, quirky and sometimes not well thought out parent. The one that is enjoyable and loving, even if they do make some questionable decisions (poaching in this case).

The ingenuity that Danny shows in this story is seriously admirable and impressive. I know that I wouldn’t have been able to show the same myself when I was that age. It is also a great reminder that we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to… if we have a little bit of gumption to follow through.

Overall, this was a fun, funny and seriously cute novel. I’m definitely glad that I decided to pick up my Roald Dahl books again and enter his crazy, zany world.

Image source: Kobo Rakuten

Title: The BFG
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 15th – 21st January 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 1982
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s a phizzwizard!

‘Human beans is not really believing in giants, is they? Human beans is not thinking we exist.’

It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a good Dahl book. And I remember The BFG being one of my favourites. So, it was a nice way to detox and wind down from work and a seriously chaotic week. It’s simply, fun, and light-hearted. With just enough confusion and storyline to keep me enthralled.

This was the book that reminded me that you can never judge a book by its cover. Or at least, it was the one that first taught me that little tidbit. After all, the BFG is large, ugly, and seriously awkward. He’s also uneducated and very, very different to everyone else that Sophie knows. But he is also good. And kind. And sweet. It makes for a very beautiful story.

One of my favourite things about this book is the way that the BFG talks throughout. It is quirky and unique, and just seriously, delightfully funny. I also love how Dahl is able to poke fun at things that are considered “ordinary” and every day. It certainly stops and makes you think about what you find “normal”, and is, in fact, just a little bit different and unique.

There is nothing better than revisiting a well-loved childhood classic and finding that you still enjoy it. Most of the time, when I revisit a beloved childhood classic, I tend to find it wanting. But that most certainly wasn’t the case with The BFG. And it’s inspired me to pick up and read more Roald Dahl books.

Image source: Penguin NZ